I have heard of an interesting .38 special semi-auto called the s&w model 52, would any of you happen to own one of these pistols?, I would like to know more, and for that matter, can they fire any .38 round, or is there some sort of crazy rimless flatnose load required?
The S&w model 52
- Thread starter torontonian
- Start date
They are a very accurate 5 shot semi auto pistol. Great for bullseye shooting.
They shoot .38 Special & because of the length of the round, they have to shoot
full wadcutter heads loaded flush with the end of the case.
They shoot .38 Special & because of the length of the round, they have to shoot
full wadcutter heads loaded flush with the end of the case.
The 146 gr. flush-seated, mid-range .38 Special wadcutter is supposed to be the only round that pistol will fire reliably. That's all I've ever used and it's both remarkably reliable and remarkably accurate. I suppose you could load other cartridges that would work about as well, but the cartridges it was designed for are available. Because of the rim on the cartridge, the magazine is made to hold only five rounds. Compared to most of the contemporary target arms, the Model 52 is kind of odd, but it works well.
The S&W 52 was purposefully designed and hand tune to shoot the middle
portion of the NRA 2700 bullseye match.
These are HIGH END target pistols. Not pray and spray service grade pistols.
Very few pistols will hold up against a 52. Only these modern 9mm can
come close: Sig P210, S&W PPC9, X5, X6, S&W 952, STI TargetMaster and
megabuck custom 1911s.
No S&W 52 left the factory without being able to hold rest groups which were
at least smaller than the 10 ring on the NRA B-3 target at 50 yards using factory
Match ammo 148gr HBWC @ 700 fps. That about 1.5 inch ish group. These HBWC
hollow based wadcutters with the flush profiles cut perfect holes for scoring and
have the most predictible ballistics. Better examples of 52 will cut single hole or
clover patterns at 50 yards.
The Bullseye matches only permit you to load 5 rounds. The mags can be
modified to take 6 rounds making them usable in 6 round based precision shooting
sports like PPC.
portion of the NRA 2700 bullseye match.
These are HIGH END target pistols. Not pray and spray service grade pistols.
Very few pistols will hold up against a 52. Only these modern 9mm can
come close: Sig P210, S&W PPC9, X5, X6, S&W 952, STI TargetMaster and
megabuck custom 1911s.
No S&W 52 left the factory without being able to hold rest groups which were
at least smaller than the 10 ring on the NRA B-3 target at 50 yards using factory
Match ammo 148gr HBWC @ 700 fps. That about 1.5 inch ish group. These HBWC
hollow based wadcutters with the flush profiles cut perfect holes for scoring and
have the most predictible ballistics. Better examples of 52 will cut single hole or
clover patterns at 50 yards.
The Bullseye matches only permit you to load 5 rounds. The mags can be
modified to take 6 rounds making them usable in 6 round based precision shooting
sports like PPC.
S&W M52 is a pure bullseye match pistol, you cannot load other than wadcutters, and best accuracy comes with the hollow base form, BUT you cannot push that beyond 850 fps or you risk separation of the skirt from the head, and the next round will dramatically bulge the barrel. Most unforgiving target pistol ever. Most competition bullseye shooters have owned one at one time or another and experienced the love-hate relationship they engender. That being said, I'm an owner, but it is the THIRD one that I've had. The front weight goes a very long way towards making the pistol more amenable to consistency. If it does not come with one, the only source other than collector grade units worth more than the gun, is DJ Precision - just don't expect really fast communication.
Dr Jim
Dr Jim
This is the one pistol I regret selling. I should have kept it. If you have the opportunity to buy one - do it. With the optional weight system, there is no muzzle flip - not that there is much anyway. I would load a 148 grain swaged full wadcutter with 3.2 grains of Win 231. An absolute tackdriver.
I lusted after one of these all through my bullseye days until the eyes just weren't what they used to be. The short sight radius also contributed to its reputation as being one of the most unforgiving bullseye pistols, albeit one of the most accurate and challenging.
Gorgeous classic guns.
Just an aside, it's a shame most beginning shooters these days are happy to put 10 rounds on paper at seven meters in under 10 seconds. We'd have a lot better shooters out there if they started with the bullseye discipline and were only happy with consistently putting 10 rounds into a 3 inch bullseye at 20 yards with one hand; the more in the X ring the better. That was the reality "back in the day".
Accuracy first, the speed will come.
OH
Not sure what these should go for, but if anyone's interested in aquiring one I saw two at a gun shop in Regina this winter. They caught my eye because of my hunt for a midrange Gov't Model. Just thought I'd throw it out there, who knows if they are still there or are a reasonable price. Is it kosher to name the shop?
With you on that! And starting with a 22 until you learn control and master the basics. See too many "sprayers" whose rounds go through their 7 metre target and wind up defacing an adjacent lane target at 25 metres.
An Colin remembers correctly - it is a locked breech system descended from the S&W M39. It was the Colt Mark 3 that was blowback.
Dr Jim
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
No it's not... You must thinking of the Colt 1911 NM in 38spl, was a straight blow back. With a ribbed chamber, to retain the brass/pressure a little longer.
The S&W M52 will only feed 38spl wad cutter because
- That's the only think you can fit in the magazine.
- That's what bulls eye shooter use. (Makes nicer holes)
